Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire Matthew Ellis has welcomed new tougher measures to tackle people who 
assist criminals.
The Home Office announced the powers to bring to justice corrupt lawyers, accountants and other professionals who try to evade justice by hiding behind a veneer of respectability.
A new offence of participating in an organised crime group is being created with those found guilty facing up to five years in jail. Powers to seize assets from criminals will also increase.
Mr Ellis said: “These new powers mean that people who oil the wheels of serious and organised crime will not get away with it.
“Making sure that people associated with organised criminal groups do not profit from their wrong doing is crucial.
“I want Staffordshire to be a no-go zone for criminals and their associates – from the 2,000 insurance dodgers who’ve had their vehicles seized in the last 12 months to those involved in serious organised crime.
“I’ve decided that 100 per cent of funding received by Staffordshire Police from the proceeds of crime should go back to local communities.
“It’s about hitting criminals where it hurts – in the pocket – and helping communities where it matters.”
The PCC’s Proceeds of Crime Fund is providing grants of between £3,000 and £15,000 to communities across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
Bids have to demonstrate a clear connection with reducing crime and fit into one of the Commissioner’s four priority area: intervening early, putting victims first, preventing offending and re-offending, and improving public confidence.
For more information visit http://www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/proceeds-crime-fund/
